Philippines denies additional rice imports this year

The Philippine Agriculture Department has denied reports that the
National Food Authority will import an additional 100,000 tonnes of rice
from either Vietnam or Thailand this year.

Spokesman Rex
Estoperez was quoted by the Manila Standard Today newspaper as saying
that that there were no discussions in the NFA Council for addition rice
imports from either of the two above-mentioned countries.

“There are no plans for an additional importation. This has never been discussed,” Estoperez said.

An NFA administrator was quoted by the oryza.com as saying that the
Philippines government has no plan to import any additional rice this
year as existing supply is enough to meet the consumption demand. He
also said any rice imports by the country require the submission of a
proposal to the NFA Council, but there is no such document.

The NFA is considering legal actions against the false news reporting agencies, he added.

The Philippines, under the World Trade Organization, committed to a
minimum access volume (MAV) of 350,000 tonnes of rice. MAV refers to the
minimum volume of farm produce allowed in the country at a favourable
40-percent tariff, while shipments outside MAV pay higher rates.

According to oryza.com, the Philippines has so far this year imported
207,500 tonnes of rice, lower than last year’s figure of 500,000 tonnes.

It currently has a country-specific quota for Thailand with
an allocation of 98,000 tonnes, China with 25,000 tonnes, India with
25,000 tonnes and Australia with 15,000 tonnes.-VNA